world-economy

FIFA Faces Dual-State Probe Over 2026 World Cup Ticket Pricing

Attorneys general in New York and New Jersey have launched investigations into FIFA's ticket sales practices for this summer's World Cup. They cite concerns over dramatically elevated pricing and allocation methods. The tournament, hosted across the United States, Mexico and Canada, marks the first World Cup to employ dynamic pricing, resulting in significantly higher costs for matches compared to previous tournaments. Final match tickets in New Jersey have escalated from an initial $6,730 to $10,990 in recent sales windows — nearly seven times the $1,600 maximum charged for the 2022 Qatar tournament's championship game. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the increases as necessary adjustments to the North American market. Regulators are examining whether the organization's sales tactics have unlawfully contributed to the price surges, with particular focus on ticket allocation to consumers.